Self-Control is an important parameter in the expression of Compassion. High Compassion Values include self-control and appreciation, respect, and love of Family. MUCH of the suffering experienced by our global-family-of-fellow-beautiful-breathing-fragile-life is due to a lack of self-control in various aspects of life and living.

What are values? They are moral or ethical principles that we view as good and important. They might include forgiveness, honesty, liberty, love, respect for life, and self-control. Our values, therefore, influence our behavior, priorities, and relationships, as well as the moral guidance we give to our children. Despite their importance, however, moral values are in decline.

What is influencing my daily choices in behavior, any priorities I set, and in my relationships with fellow-fragile-life? Are my “family” “global-family” values (deep respect/appreciation) being corroded and/or eroded?? What are my roots/my values? In what are my values rooted?

In 2008, researchers in the United States interviewed hundreds of young adults about their views on moral values. “What’s disheartening is how bad they are at thinking and talking about moral issues,” said David Brooks in The New York Times. Most felt that rape and murder were wrong, but “aside from those extreme cases, moral thinking didn’t enter the picture, even when [they were] considering things like drunken driving, cheating in school or cheating on a partner.” As one young person put it, “I don’t really deal with right and wrong that often.”

How about Hurts or Helps? Positive Results or Negative Results? Compassion or Cruelty?

The human heart, while capable of great love and compassion, can also be ‘treacherous and desperate.’ (Jeremiah 17:9) This sad reality is reflected in the world’s changing moral landscape—a trend the Bible foretold. “In the last days,” it said long ago, “people will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited,” as well as “unkind [and] violent.” Also, “they will hate the good” and “love pleasure rather than God.”—2 Timothy 3:1-5, Good News Translation.

Am i selfish, boastful, conceited? (Honest self-reflection/examination can help me make needed adjustments to live a more compassionate life of self-control in all areas.)

Those realities should move us to question our own heart, not blindly trust it! Indeed, the Bible frankly states: “He that is trusting in his own heart is stupid.” (Proverbs 28:26) Like a compass, our heart needs to be calibrated with sound values if it is to serve us well. Where can we find such values? Many look to the Bible itself, appreciating both its wisdom and its candor.

“If you have learned to love, then happiness will surely knock on your door,” says the book Engineering Happiness—A New Approach for Building a Joyful Life. Clearly, as humans, we need love. Without it, we cannot be truly happy.

What the Bible says: “Clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union.” (Colossians 3:14) The same Bible writer also said: “If I . . . do not have love, I am nothing.”—1 Corinthians 13:2.

That love is neither sexual nor purely sentimental; it is governed by principle. It is the kind of love that moves us to help a stranger in difficulty, with no thought of a reward. At 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we read: “Love is long-suffering and kind. [It] is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, . . . endures all things.”

When families lack such love, everybody suffers, especially children.

A particularly subtle enemy of love is materialism—the belief that material well-being and pleasure are the highest values. Yet, secular studies repeatedly show that beyond a surprisingly modest threshold, more wealth does not bring more happiness. In fact, people who adopt materialistic values may actually be investing in unhappiness, a view that finds Biblical support. Ecclesiastes 5:10 tells us: “A mere lover of silver will not be satisfied with silver, neither any lover of wealth with income. This too is vanity.” The Bible also states: “Let your manner of life be free of the love of money.”—Hebrews 13:5.

Do I love material things more than family? Is my own material well-being and pleasure more important to me than my family (immediate and global)? Am i honest with myself and with my family (immediate and global)?

Honesty–This ethical value is fundamental to any civilized society. Dishonesty fosters fear, mistrust, and social decay.

What the Bible says: “Who will be a guest in [God’s] tent?” The answer? “He who is walking faultlessly and . . . speaking the truth in his heart.” (Psalm 15:1, 2) Yes, genuine honesty, […], is a personality trait. It is not governed by circumstances or expediency.

Come on, who of us would “knowingly” invite a guest in our home…who would steal from us and/or murder us?! (Yet, is that what we do via media, t.v., internet, etc.?!)

Humanity’s survival “may depend on the acceptance of a global ethic,” says the journal Counseling and Values. “Perhaps the most agreed-upon universal moral value is the Golden Rule.” What is that rule? Taught by Jesus Christ, it says: “Do for others what you want them to do for you.”—Matthew 7:12, Good News Translation.

My belief, deep down, from the bottom of my heart…most of us want the best for our immediate families: health/happiness…we may have different knowledge or skill(s)-set(s)…ways of going about it…collectively as a global-family…can we seek the best for each other?? Can we be honest, compassionate, forgiving…and exercise Self-Control…so as not to hurt one another…

“Every man taking part in a contest exercises self-control in all things.”—1 CORINTHIANS 9:25.